Saxophonist and funk icon Candy Dulfer is bringing her show "The Purple Jam" to Switzerland in April 2025 - on April 22 at the Bierhübeli in Bern and on April 23 at the Volkshaus in Zurich. And on October 9, the Dutchwoman will return to Zurich as part of her "Funkalicious Tour" at the Kaufleuten.
"The Purple Jam" is an emotional tribute to the legendary Prince, who died in 2016. Candy Dulfer was closely associated with him musically. Other top-class music stars who all had a connection to Prince will also be performing. In addition to Candy Dulfer on saxophone, Ida Nielsen on bass, Shelby J and Lynn Marbry on vocals, the legendary Sheila E. on drums and Philip Lassiter on trumpet will be on stage.
Together they will not only perform Prince hits, but also share personal anecdotes and stories about the artist.
Dulfer's collaboration with Prince was an important milestone in her impressive career. Born in Amsterdam in 1969, she began playing the saxophone at the age of six - inspired by her father, the well-known saxophonist Hans Dulfer.
Her breakthrough came at the end of the 1980s when Prince noticed her and invited her to perform at his shows in Europe. This encounter opened the doors to the international music scene for her.
In 1989, Dulfer landed her first big hit with "Lily Was Here", a collaboration with Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics. This success paved the way for her debut album "Saxuality" (1990), which sold over a million copies and earned her a Grammy nomination.
Dulfer's music, which combines elements of jazz, funk and pop, has won her a broad fan base in Europe, the USA and Japan. Her energetic live performances and her ability to fuse different musical styles make her a much sought-after artist.
In 2021, Candy Dulfer was honored with the prestigious Edison Oeuvre Award in the jazz category for her lifetime achievement. Over the course of her career, Dulfer has worked with numerous musical greats, including Van Morrison, Pink Floyd and Blondie, with her collaboration with Prince being particularly influential.
With "The Purple Jam", Dulfer is now returning to her roots and paying tribute to one of the most influential musicians of our time. The show is more than just a concert: a musical journey through Prince's career, told from the perspective of artists who worked closely with him. For fans of Prince and Candy Dulfer, this is a rare opportunity to experience legendary hits in a new form and at the same time gain an insight into Prince's life and work.
Another date for which Candy Dulfer's fans can already secure tickets: On Thursday, October 9, 2025, she'll let the funk sparkle at Kaufleuten: joining her on her "Funkalicious Tour will be Henne Reijs, Ivan Peroti and Camilo Rodriguez (vocals), Roger Happel (keyboard, vocals), Ulco Bed (guitar), Xander Buvelot, (bass), Kick Woudstra (drums) - and more.
Review of the Purple Jam from 2024 at the Bierhübeli in Bern.